New Zealand is among the best in the world at expanding human rights, religious tolerance and peaceful dialogue, writes David Rutherford.

A survey on how family violence affects victims' work is "chilling but compulsory" reading for Government leaders, the Human Rights Commission says.

A branch of one of Auckland's largest Indian restaurant chains has been seeking part-time wait staff - but said only "girls" could apply.

The Human Rights Commission has called for the Government to consider rent-control measures following major natural disasters.

The Human Rights Commission is calling for a star-rating system that would expose poorly performing rest homes to help families avoid them.

NZ could follow Britain's lead and appoint a Victims' Commissioner, but the Justice Minister said the move would have to make a real difference.

The Labour Party is calling on the Human Rights Commission to investigate concerns that disabled workers are losing their jobs at KFC because of its restructuring policy.

A group of long-serving KFC workers are being forced out of their jobs during a restructure which a union claims is deliberately targeting workers with disabilities.

Owners of a Whangarei lodge have apologised after turning away a lesbian couple who had booked a shared bed - but are not ready to welcome back gay people.

The NZEI union has been asked to address concerns held by some staff at Auckland's Kelston Intermediate School over reciting a Maori prayer before lessons start each day.

Christchurch City Council has been given a fortnight to speed up its consenting process, or power to grant consents will be taken away from it by the Government.

The outcome of a Human Rights Commission complaint by a lesbian couple who say they were discriminated against when a Whangarei lodge would not let them share a bed will only be made public if both sides agree.

Dame Susan Devoy was the second choice for the role of Race Relations Commissioner, official documents show, but she received a glowing assessment.

A Northland couple are outraged and hurt at being denied accommodation at the Pilgrim Planet Lodge because of "who we are".

It is for those who appointed her to justify their decision and the process that was followed, writes Rajen Prasad. It is for them to explain their understanding of the contemporary race relations challenges for NZ.

Angry Christchurch red zone property owners are launching a legal battle to force Gerry Brownlee to change his mind over compensation, but he says it is "wishful thinking".

Prime Minister John Key says it will be "bleak" for Canterbury residents who chose not to take up the Government's buy-out offer for land in the red zone.

Pregnant women and mothers returning to work from maternity leave are facing illegal discrimination and losing their jobs.

NZ has been ranked the best place in the world to be a working woman - but one advocate says the major obstacles and inequalities for women here are getting worse.

Police allege an illegal immigrant living here on a false Australian passport was also able to obtain three other false passports - including two from New Zealand.

Justice Minister Judith Collins rejected the advice of an independent panel which recommended a woman lawyer for a top state service job and selected her own nominee, despite a plea from the Chief Human Rights Commissioner.

A bill to legalise same-sex marriage is likely to be amended to explicitly state that churches would not be forced to marry same-sex couples.

The Maori King and the Prime Minister drew the battle lines, with the former saying "Maori'' and the latter saying "No One''. Today, two legal academics explore the deep currents that lie beneath each claim.

A weed control firm which bluntly said "wimpy" job seekers were not suited to their summer vacancies has pulled the ad from Trade Me after more than 42,000 hits.